Psalms 89:38-45 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

But thou hast cast off Having hitherto declared the certainty of God's promises, he now proceeds to show the unsuitableness of the present dispensations of God's providence thereunto, and humbly expostulates with God about it. Thou hast been wroth with thine anointed That person and family that thou hast invested with the kingdom. Thou hast made void, &c. Which seems contrary to thy word given, Psalms 89:34. Thou hast profaned his crown By exposing that sacred person, and family, and kingdom to contempt, and giving his sceptre and power into the hands of the uncircumcised. Thou hast broken down all his hedges All the means of his protection and safety. He is a reproach to his neighbours An object of their scorn and reproach. Is this the anointed of the Lord? Is this the everlasting family and kingdom? Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries Thou hast given them courage, and power, and success. Thou hast turned the edge of his sword So that he can neither offend his enemies nor defend himself. And hast not made him to stand But to flee and fall before his enemies; for more is understood than what is expressed. The days of his youth hast thou shortened The youthful and flourishing estate of David's kingdom was very short, and reached not beyond his next successors, and it had been languishing, by degrees, till this time, when it seemed to be dead and buried.

Psalms 89:38-45

38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

44 Thou hast made his gloryf to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.